A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

5. Tyrant of Sicyon, to which position he raised himself by the murder of Paseas, who had succeeded his son Abantidas in the sovereign power [ABANTIDAS]. He had reigned only four months, during which period he had already driven into exile eighty of the citizens, when the citadel of Sicyon (which had narrowly escaped falling into the hands of the Aetolians shortly before) was surprised in the night by a party of Sicyonian exiles, headed by young Aratus. The palace of the tyrant was set on fire, but Nicocles himself made his escape by a subterranean passage, and fled from the city. Of his subsequent fortunes we know nothing. (Plut. Arat. 3_9; Paus. 2.8 § 3; Cic. de Off 2.23.)